Previewing The Big 'O'

Saturday and Sunday, America's largest mega-celebrity Oprah Winfrey hits the campaign trail in support of Barack Obama. This will be her first substantial foray into politics and its no surprise she's turned it into a tour de force of early Primary contests. She is scheduled for two events in Iowa and one each in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Within hours of being available to the public, tens of thousands of free tickets were snatched from local Obama's headquarters. The South Carolina event has been moved from an 18,000 seat venue to an 80,000 seat football stadium. Team Obama has been channeling this Oprahmania into organizational strength by offering VIP tickets as rewards for volunteer efforts. In S.C., their tickets ask for a pledge to vote for Barack.

Celebrity endorsements usually offer more sizzle than substance creating more buzz than votes. Recall the 80,000 person rally with Bruce Springsteen, in 2004, for John Kerry. Oprah's impact may be different.In Manchester, New Hampshire, the Obama campaign has issued over 10,000 tickets; enough to fill the Verizon Center there as if it were a rock concert. The local Chamber of Commerce said of Oprah, "She is bigger than huge." And then added to a Union Leader reporter, "I'm still trying to get tickets, if you find a way, give me a call."

A political scientist at the College of Charleston, Jack Bass noted that it may be the largest political gathering since General Dwight D. Eisenhower was campaigning there in 1952 during his first run for President.

In Iowa, Oprah's ratings are larger than the top shows of all other networks combined.

The impact of Oprah will probably not be settled until the early contests are over. But one benefit will be nearly 72-hours of positive wall-to-wall news coverage. With 27 days till the first balloting this is a certainly a boost. Only time will tell if the big "O" turns into sustainable "Mo" (momentum) for Obama.

What do you think the impact of Oprah will be on this Primary process?